Washington will try and score another upset when they face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in Week 4. That game will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, as usual (live streaming via WatchESPN).
Washington is coming off a big game against the Oakland Raiders, one they won by a score of 27-10. Kirk Cousins was dealing, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions, while the Washington defense managed to sack Derek Carr four times and intercepted him twice.
They’ll need that kind of performance to top the Chiefs, a team that has looked nearly unbeatable through three games this seasons. Cousins is having a fine season for Washington, but Alex Smith is putting up MVP-caliber numbers, with a 77.4 completion percentage, 774 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions through three games.
Cousins, meanwhile, has completed 68 percent of his passes for 784 yards with five touchdowns and an interception. Smith’s absurdly high completion percentage is what sets him apart.
Another big factor is Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs’ running back who is rushing for an unreal 8.5 yards per carry through three games. Chris Thompson of Washington also has an 8.5 yards per carry average, though he has just 14 rushes, while Hunt has carried the ball 47 times, putting up 401 yards and four touchdowns.
Washington’s defense is its strongest asset and their top task will be limiting Hunt and forcing Smith to make a rare mistake. The Chiefs are the frontrunners in the AFC West, and they’ll be happy that Washington upset the Raiders, the team that was favored to win the division.
Things could still go the other way if the Chiefs start losing games, but they’re heavy favorites over Washington in Week 4.
Below is all you need to know to catch the action, including news, predictions, odds and more.
How to Watch Chiefs vs. Washington
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: WatchESPN
- Odds: The Chiefs opened as seven-point favorites and that line maintained throughout the week
Chiefs vs. Washington news:
- Kareem Hunt looks like a hit for the Chiefs, which is fortuitous coming off losing Jamal Charles, their best player for the past several years. Hunt needs to prove his consistency, though, as noted by Arrowhead Pride:
Now Kareem has to keep doing this and do it for multiple years before he’s Jamaal, which is the hard part. This three game stretch though is good context for how good he’s been these three weeks.
- Pass rusher Dee Ford missed practice for the Chiefs, and it’s a big concern. He has both hip and back injuries, and if Ford can’t go, Frank Zombo would be the only option at the position, with Tampa Hali already out.
- Washington may be getting healthier going into the matchup, however. Mason Foster, Rob Kelley and Jordan Reed were all limited participants in practice after missing the team’s Week 3 game. They could all be back on Monday.
- The folks over at Hogs Haven ask: can Washington pull off two consecutive upsets and if so, what would it even mean?
Here’s the deal when it comes to Washington in years past, they have won big before in recent years, but they would never amount to anything for the status and culture of the team. In other words, they weren’t the statement wins like many thought they would be. With this franchise, many can go on-and-on in regard to examples, but let’s just point to the freshest one in your head, the Sunday night game in 2016 against the Green Bay Packers. Washington finished 2-4 down the stretch following the “statement game” of the season for them and missed their bid to the post-season.
- Opposing quarterbacks have not fared well at Arrowhead Stadium, with the last three combining for zero touchdowns and three interceptions. Kirk Cousins could be in for a rough night.
Chiefs vs. Washington prediction:
All eight experts picking for SB Nation in Week 4 agree: the Chiefs will beat Washington Monday, and even the Odds Shark computer is going with Kansas City Chiefs, making it a true sweep.